It Doesn't Stop

This election won’t end. Before I get into it, my apologies. For the first time ever, my wife had her scans, but we have not yet gotten the results. The radiology department was backed up. We’re still waiting. I’ll let y’all know.

As for the election:

Kari Lake does look like she can pull out a victory in Arizona.

Republicans I talk to say the same about Masters, but use too many cautionary words to make me believe them.

Adam Laxalt looks like he can win, but it will be very close and I’m not 100% sure.

Walker and Warnock are in a runoff in Georgia. From the late 90’s to 2021, Republicans could reliably win runoffs, but they seem to have talked themselves out of it and Walker is a flawed candidate. If the GOP gets its head in the game it can win. There are more Republicans than Democrats in Georgia.

More pressingly, Republicans need to dwell on a few things.

1. Republicans need an early vote strategy. They are relying on election day voters who can be talked out of voting. Get them as soon as you can and lock them in. Figure that out. Democrats did.

2. Republicans need a House cleaning. They are going to take the House of Representatives, but I am at a loss to understand why the RNC Chair will keep her job. Tom Emmers should be penalized too as NRCC Chairman.

3. Mitch McConnell played more strategically than Rick Scott. There was no reason for Scott to pour money into either Colorado or Washington, let alone New Hampshire. McConnell strategically spent his money more wisely and mitigated a lot of damage.

4. McConnell, at the end of the day, spent close to $400 million to get the Senate and will have to raise and spend more now for Georgia. Trump spent $15 million and no, Trump’s rallies do not amount to much, particularly when he spends the time attacking other Republicans.

5. Lots of Trump supporters are screaming, “If only Mitch McConnell spent his money in this particular way…”. If only Trump spent any of his pennies, but like Smaug, he’d rather lie on it than spend it to help others.

6. Republicans were able to pick off Democrats in deep blue states like New York where voters are threatened by abortion issues. They will win the House because of places like New York.

7. The GOP needs a path forward without Trump. How do you keep his voters while ditching him? That’s above my pay grade, but we need an answer.

8. Pray for Kevin McCarthy. That dog has caught his car and I can’t wait to watch the fallout.

Now, please, make it stop. This election needs to be over.

Y’all, look for the silver linings. There are many. As I noted yesterday, there was a red wave, but it was regional and state specific. The GOP can make up ground and win more seats. But it needs quality candidates who spend their time talking about the issues voters care about, not genuflecting to Trump.

In the meantime, a word of advice to House Republicans:

Let the legislators legislate. Let them draft bills, send them to committees, debate and compromise with Democrats, and show you are not a threat. Vote and send the legislation to the Senate. Let the Senate do the same if you win it. Instead of top down, go bottom up.

Also, constituent service matters. Stay off the TV and Twitter. Stay on top of constituent concerns.